Updates of a not very exciting nature

[featherynscale]

I got my air purifier about two days ago. Set it up next to the bed, which drops the sexiness of my bedroom setup significantly. On the other hand, I can now breathe, and I have pretty much stopped coughing, so I've stopped losing sexy points based on snot and hacking. I'm calling it good. The air purifier is not the Tesla Roadster of air purifiers, but it might be the Infiniti G Coupe. It has a remote control, which is necessary to switch between several different operating modes. There is an owner's manual which is not as large as the one for my car, but larger than the one on the last audio equipment I bought. It has an automatic mode, in which it senses concentration of crap in the air and responds. Like most people probably would be, I said "Yeah right" about this. But lo, if you stand next to the machine while it's on auto and fart, it spins up to a higher mode. Little things impress me.

In other news, I still have no test results. I do, however, have an appointment with my doctor on Friday. Perhaps by then, they will have resolved the records problem. Or, you know, not. Since my initial episode, I've had about three more, though none were nearly as severe as the first one. I have some remaining concern about whether I'm having small strokes, or perhaps a brain tumor, or something similarly awful that will either kill me soon or render me some sort of vegetable. I'm particularly concerned about the vegetable part. triadruid offered to take me in to have "DNR" tattooed on my chest, if it would make me feel better about things. Which, of course, it bloody well would.

Other than that, I'm just freaking busy all the time. I get to go to Nebraska next week, woo hoo. Actually, I am pretty excited about that. I've never been to Nebraska, so I get to mark it off the list of states I've never been to. And, if that weren't enough, the Omaha zoo has the world's largest indoor swamp. I absolutely must see that. Strangely, though, it's not generating much interest in my traveling companions.

Comments

[celtic-elk.livejournal.com]

In no particular order:

1. Clearly you need more interesting travel companions.

2. The Tesla Roadster? Badass.

3. I approve of the general idea of the DNR tattoo, but can I lodge a protest on aesthetic grounds? (Insert relevant Princess Bride quote here.)

And also: shit. You're in my thoughts.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

1. Well, we are going to a UUA conference.

2. Hell yes.

3. It could be a very well-designed DNR tattoo, I think. :)

Also, thanks.

[celtic-elk.livejournal.com]

1. What, UUs have a moral opposition to swamps?

2. In the absence of my ability to afford its OMG price tag, I'm thinking the Chevy Volt might be a decent alternative.

3. It's all about the font choice. Art Nouveau Rennie Mackintosh? Half-uncial Irish manuscript? Old English thug-for-life?

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

1. Nah, they have a moral commitment to being focused on the goal at hand and not deviating from it for fun.

2. Pretty sexy, for a Chevy.

3. I'm thinking Kingthings Pique*n*meex (http://www.dafont.com/kevin-king.d781). :)

[zylch.livejournal.com]

Haywire thyroid can absolutely mimic brain tumor; my dad spent some time in the hospital when first being diagnosed as hypothyroid because they were trying to determine whether it was hormone-production pituitary swelling or brain-tumor swelling. So my vote is still for T-levels being off, especially given the weight loss you've managed.

Glad you're getting to the proper doc to get it sorted soon!

[lexpendragon.livejournal.com]

This comment rings of accuracy. I've seen known lots of people with thyroid issues, and this could be really accurate.

Note: If it does turn out to be that, don't trust Synthroid, it's pretty weak compared to what it's supposed to be, and the older way of taking care of it, Armour was less than a copay on the Synthroid. I suspect the lack of profit on that has prompted the move away from it. (Catch me on IM if you're even vaguely interested in what I've heard.)

P.S. I also want to point out I don't have a medical degree, nor any real knowledge of anything on any of this subject, I'm just going by lots of hearsay and what seems to have stood up to the real world scenarios I've seen.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I've been on Synthroid or its generic for approaching 15 years now. It is a lot more diluted than the Armour thyroid salts, but it's also a lot more regulated dosage. (And, of course, more expensive.) I've looked into the alternatives and was not willing to deal with the irregularity. The money's not that big a deal. (A month of synthroid costs me between $11 and $18, depending on some arcane calculations at the insurance co, possibly including which way the wind is blowing.)

I think the problem now is that I'm on a dose that was appropriate for me at 190 lbs, and I'm now 140 lbs. Again, if I could just get the damned results back, I'd know something.

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel about WalMart, but without levothyroxine being on their 30-day supply $4 script list, it wouldn't be affordable for me. I would still get it, mind, but it wouldn't be affordable.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

CVS does the same deal. When I can get the doc to approve a generic, I get the $3 or $4 levothyroxine. This last time, for some reason, he wrote for name brand only. Still no reason to shop the Great Satan. :)

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

CVS does the same deal

*reeeeaaaaalllllly.* That's...exciting, that is.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

That is absolutely my best theory so far. And I could have it confirmed if they would only get the freaking test results in. Gah.

[leiandra.livejournal.com]

You know that you are well within your rights to go to said hospital and request a copy of your record on your own. That way you'll *KNOW* a) what the damn thing says and b) that your regular MD will have it.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Yep. If I can get there during office hours for medical records. :)

[leiandra.livejournal.com]

Call up the medical records dept before you make the trek. You may be able to handle the transaction without showing up in person - they may be willing to fax it to you if you've got a machine handy.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I have just faxed them a release of information and a request. We shall see what transpires.

[dramaticaddict.livejournal.com]

wow, an indoor swamp... I must put that on my list of "other shit to do in omaha while at otaku omaho" without this post, part of me would be missing something I didnt know I needed to see... Thanks!

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I know, it's the damnedest thing. They also have an indoor desert, which is apparently on top of the swamp. We live in the future.

[shahera5.livejournal.com]

I am perfectly willing to visit the indoor swamp. Two years ago I stayed overnight at the Omaha Zoo with 40 2nd - 6th graders so my memories are of a cool place, but a lot of work (because I was running the tour). It might be a whole different experience seeing it in the daytime and with adults and maybe a more relaxed schedule.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Sweet! We should totally do it.